TRANSLATING CONOPS INTO DESIGN: MAXIMISING THE CAPACITY OF YOUR OPV

Given the highly diverse nature of an OPV’s mission, one of the major challenges faced by today’s buyer is translating specific operational requirements into designs that will enable the success of these missions.

Alongside this crucial insight from our OPV operational audience, we are also delighted to be able to provide access to a huge cross-section of the naval industry. Click here to see who is involved so far.

Chaired by Vice Admiral (rtd) Matthieu Borsboom, Former Commander of the Royal Netherlands Navy, the 2017 conference will deliver the most in-depth agenda to date by breaking down the OPV and it’s technologies into streams and discussion areas that will analyse future capability across engine performance, combat systems, communications systems and acquisition management. The sessions will be led by the capability developers, end users and acquisition staffers tasked with bringing the vessels into service, and with delivering capability.

Beyond these discussion areas focusing on the application of technology on operations; this year’s programme will also explore how improvements can be made to network capability and interoperability in order improve intelligence-led decision-making; the increase in operational envelope delivered through airborne platforms and discuss the benefits of manned and unmanned rotary wing aircraft; and ensuring the extension of the lifecycle of an OPV by correctly investing in maintenance.

The forum benefits from our international experience and series of region-specific events by bringing together the most relevant and thought-provoking conference agenda to date:- including OPV operators and industry stakeholders taking part from the Middle East, Latin America, Africa, Asia, Europe and North America.

This year's planned site visit will take place on board a Royal Netherlands Navy Holland Class OPV on 26 September, providing you with the opportunity to understand the operational impact of requirement and procurement decisions made at the design stage. Find all of the details in the link above!

Vice Admiral Matthieu J.M. Borsboom was commissioned into the Royal Netherlands Navy as a midshipman in 1978 and became an officer in 1981. His first assignment was to HNLMS Tromp, followed by a posting to minesweeper HNLMS Naaldwijk and service as executive officer of HNLMS Veere, another minesweeper. He studied at the University of Groningen before being sent to patrol vessel HNLMS Hadda as executive officer in 1983. He qualified as a Principal Warfare Officer in 1986, having studied at the Operational School in Den Helder, before being assigned to the frigate HNLMS Witte de With and then HNLMS De Ruyter. He went on to qualify as an anti-submarine warfare officer and was posted to HNLMS Piet Hein as head of the operations department at the height of the Cold War.

As a Lieutenant Commander in 1991, Borsboom transferred to the Centre for Automation of Weapon and Command Systems before returning to sea duty aboard HNLMS Willem van der Zaan, which was involved in supporting United Nations operations in the Caribbean, later serving aboard HNLMS Philips van Almonde. He attended the Defence Staff College in 1996 and was promoted to the rank of Commander and took charge of the bureau for underwater sensors at the Ministry of Defence in The Hague, the city of his birth, for two years.

He commanded the frigates HNLMS Tjerk Hiddes and HNLMS Van Speijk between 1999 and 2001. Aftercommanding ships, he took up a staff position in The Hague. After promotion to Captain in 2002 he became Director of the Navy’s Softwarehouse. He then attended the Advanced Defence Course in 2004 before promotion to Commodore in 2005 and was assigned as the first Director of the Joint Requirements branch.

With the promotion to Rear Admiral in 2007 he was appointed Director of Operational Policy, Requirements and Plans. In November 2008, he deployed to Afghanistan to become Deputy Chief of Staff for Stabilityin Kabul as part of the International Security Assistance Force. He reported directly to the commander of ISAF, then General Stanley A. McChrystal, and had responsibility for supporting elections in the country. He returned to the Netherlands in November 2009 and was promoted to Vice Admiral on 4 January 2010, assuming the appointment of Commander, Royal Netherlands Navy till 26 September 2014. His last postion was Director of the Joint Defence Material Organisation, on 1 March 2016 he retired.

Upon leaving the Royal Netherlands Navy, he has set up A3 (Admirals Autonomous Advice), providing consultancy to a broad spectrum including: Maritime/IT/Leadership/Strategy/Innovation. Recently, as Chairman of a Group of Senior Experts, he has advised SecGen NATO and the Nations on improving governance on NATO Capability Delivery.

Borsboom was born in The Hague in 1959. He is married to Ernie Borsboom-Miga and lives in Den Helder. The couple have three children, all of whomjoined the Royal Netherlands Navy and twograndchildren.

In summary, International Offshore Patrol Vessels conference will offer you the opportunity to:

Network with the largest and most diverse global gathering of the OPV community in the world.

Gain technical insight and understanding into the latest designs with presentations from public and private sector shipyards.

Benefit from strategic analysis of current maritime security concerns delivered by Admirals and Commander from navies and coast guards.

Share lessons learnt from a vast array of mission sets, ranging from law enforcement to environmental protection, gain insight into adapting OPV design to emerging missions.